Table structure



Jan. 31, 1961 w. J. URBAN TABLE STRUCTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 25, 1958 INVENTOR- wzllzu" Jlfrbam gw l g 1 /43! $1 4 Jan. 31, 1961 w. J. URBAN I 2,970,024

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2,970,024 TABLE STRUCTURE Wilbur J. Urban, River Forest, 111., assignor to Huh Stamping and Manufacturing Company, Chicago, Ill.

Filed Sept. 25, 1958, Ser. No. 763,779 9 Claims. (Cl. 311-99) This application is a continuation-impart of my co pending application, Serial No. 662,801,. filed May 31, 1957, now abandoned.

This invention relates generally to table structure, and more. particularly to a mode of. foldably connecting table legs to a table top.

The overall bulk of table structure may be effectively reduced for shipment or storage purposes by providing foldable legs therefor. Heretofore, tables of light construction, such as card tables and the like, have been equipped with legs that are foldable relative to the top thereof so that the table may be reduced to a relatively compact structure when not in use. Heavier tables, such as kitchen tables, dining tables and the like, on the other hand, have not commonly been provided with foldable legs, but instead are normally provided with legs that are either permanently rigidly secured relative to the table top or with legs that are rigidly mounted relative to the top but which may be disassembled therefrom. The latter type, of course, provides a compact. structure when disassembled, but has the. disadvantage of. requiring the expenditure of considerable assembly time to ready the table for use after disassembly. This disadvantage creates. a considerable burden on dealers, who must assemble large numbers of tables, and consequently, such types of tables have met with considerable sales resistance.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of this invention to provide a novel foldable leg assembly for table structure that is adapted to be used on the heavier types of tables and which simplifies the work of dealers and others handling tables.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel leg assembly for table structures which provides a universally swivelled connection between the legs and top of a table.

A further object of the invention is to provide novel table structure having legs that are. connected to be universally swivelled relative to the top thereof and which may be locked in table supporting condition.

Still another object of the invention is to provide-a novel bracket that connects a table. leg. in swivelledrelation to a table top.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel sheet metal bracket'that provides a universally swivelled connection between a leg and a table top, which bracket is simply constructed and simplifies assembly and subsequent handling of such table structure;

Another object of the invention is to provide novel releasable means for holding or locking a leg in fixed, table supporting position relative to a table top to which the leg is connected in swivelled relation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:-

Fig-l is a reduced scale: perspective view of a kitchen or dinette type table embodying a preferred form-ofthe invention, the table having an extension leaf;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the table sh'owrr iniFi'g. I with its leaf removed;

Fig; 3 is an enlarged scalefragmentary plan view of a portion of the'structure shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

Z,970,Z4 Patented Jan. 31, 1961 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 44 in 3 Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 6- isa perspective view of a portion of a table showing a modified form of the invention;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged scale plan view of part of the structure in Fig. 6;

Fig. 8' is asectional view taken along line 8-8 of Fig. 7;an'd

Fig. 9 isa fragmentary view showing a'modification of part of the structure shown in Fig. 6.

ingen'eral, the objects of the invention are accomplish'ed by connecting the legs of table structure to the top thereof by novel bracket structures. The bracket structures include swivel means that permit the ends of the legs engaged thereby to swivel universally relative to the table top. Releasable means for locking the legs in table supporting condition are also provided.

Referring to the drawing, Figs. 1 and 2 show a kitchen or dinette type table having a usual type of top that is extendable, the top being shown in extended condition in Fig. 1. The top is supported by four legs that are connected thereto by the preferred type of novel bracket structure hereinafter described. More specifically, the table top shown in Fig. 1 comprises a pair of relatively large end pieces 10 and 11 and'a removable leaf 12 sand"- wiched, in edge-to-edge relation, therebetween. The four corners of the table top are supported by legs 13, the legsbeing connected to' the undersurface of the end'pieces 1t and 11 by the bracket structures shown generally at 14. It should be noted that, in. accordance with current practices, the-legs 13' are mounted angularly so that the feet thereof. are farther apart than the. tops thereof in order to provide greater stability for the table.

Fig. 2 shows the underside of the table shownin Fig. 1, with its'leaf 12 removed and the end pieces: 1% and 11 pushed together. The end piece 10 is provided with a pair of longitudinally extending slide rails 16 that are rigidly secured thereto, as by screws 17. The slide rails 16- projectbeyond the end piece 10 and underlie the endpiece llll'. Likewise, the end piece" 11 is provided with a pair of slide rails 18 that are rigidly secured thereto and are positioned parallel to and inside the slide rails 16. The slide rails 18 also extend beyond the inner edge ofthe end piece 11 and underlie the end piece 10, the adjacent slide rails 16 and 18 longitudinally engage each other and, thus, interconnect the end pieces 10 and 11, holding them in alignment and permitting them to be relatively movable for insertion or removal of the leaf 12. Furthermore the'sli'd'e rails 16 and 18 supportthe leaf 12-, when used.

A preferred form of bracket structure for foldably connecting the legs to the topis' illustrated in Figs, 3, 4 and 5. In order that the-legsmay befolded to provide a compact package for shipment or storage, and so that the bracket may be used with the table structures of many types, the bracket structure includes a pair of swivels whose respective axes of rotation are disposed at approximately right angles to each other. The bracket structure comprises, generally, a-b'ase member 19 and a bracket 21 carried thereby in swivel relation therewith. The bracket 21 is provided with a pivot pin, in this instance a bolt 22, that supportsthe leg 13 and permits it to pivot or swivel'thereabout.

The base 19, in the present instance, is acircular plate rigidly securedito. the undersurfaceiztl of; thetable top: by screws 23, and is provided with a: central. circular opening 24: Along: a line concentric with the opening 24, the base- 19 is formed or bentto provide: a: circular? flange: portion-26 that is' disposed: outwardly from the p, 2,970,024 a A undersurface 20 of the table. Thus, the flange 24 and the undersurface 20 of the table define an annular, radially extending groove 27 therebetween, the bend providing a shoulder 28 at the outer extremity of the groove 27.

In its preferred forr'rn'the bracket 21 is a unitary sheet metal structure that is carried by the base 19 in swivelled relation therewith. The bracket 21 has a base portion 2-9 that is flat or plate-like and includes horizontal flange portions 36 and 31 that extend radially outwardly from the center of the base portion 29. The flange portions 30 and 31 are provided with arcuate edges 32-and 33, respectively. The radius of curvature of the arcuate edges 32 and 33 is substantially equal to that of the shoulder 28. The bracket is also providedwith a leg-carrying clevis. Between the adjacent ends of the flange portions 30 and 31 and at quadrature about the center of base portion 29, the bracket 21 is provided with a pair of depending arms 34 and 36, the arms being on the opposite sides of the center of the portion 29. The arms 34 and 36 are, in this instance, plate-like portions formed integral with the portion 29 and are bent downwardly along a line radially inwardly from the edges 32 and 33 so that they extend parallel with respect to each other and perpendicular to the plane of the base portion 29, forming the arms of the clevis.

In order that the legs 13 may be moved from their normal table supporting position to a folded position paralleling the table top, they are swingably or pivotally carried by the bracket 21. To this end the arms 34 and 36 are provided with concentric holes 37 and 38, respectively, through which the bolt 22 is inserted, completing the clevis. The upper end of the leg 13 is drilled and is pivotally suspended on the bolt 22 between the arms 34 and 36 as is shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. In other words, the upper end of the leg 13 can be swivelled about an axis perpendicular to the axis of relative rotation between the bracket 21 and the base 19, and thus the leg 13 is connected to universally swivel relative to the table top.

In order to minimize looseness in this arrangement of parts, it is preferable to frictionally reduce the freedom of swivelability between the respective parts of the bracket structure. To this end, the bend in the base 19 sets the flange portion ,26 out from the plane of the remainder of the base an amount substantially equal to the thickness of the portions 29 and 31. Thus, the thickness of the groove 27 is approximately equal to the thickness of the portions 29 and 31, and the friction between the relatively moving surfaces is sufficient to prevent looseness. To the same end, the distance between the arms 34 and 36, at the openings 37 and 38, is approximately equal to acorresponding dimension of a leg (the diameter of the leg 13) supported thereby. Furthermore, the bolt 22 is arranged to clamp the arms 34 and 36 against the leg supported thereby to frictionally resist swinging. Thus, the arms 34 and 36 are clamped between the head 39 of the bolt 22 and a nut 42 threaded thereon, a washer 41 separating the head 39 from the arm 36. Upon tightening of the nut 42, the arms 34 and 36 are squeezed into tight frictional engagement with the leg 13.

Although frictional resistance is sufficient to minimize looseness between the various parts, it is preferable to provide increased rigidity for supporting the table. Therefore, releasable means for locking the legs 13 against movement with respect to the table top is provided. In the present instance the locking means is also a brace, one form of which is shown generally at 43 in Figs. 1 and 2. The brace 43 is a rod formed generally in the shape of a U, the closed end of which is further shaped to conform to the contours of the leg upon which it is to be mounted, as at 44. Being portions of a rod, the legs 45 of the brace 43 are resiliently deflectable and are provided with transversely extending ends that are engageable in socket means or openings 46, formed on a plate 47. The plate 47 is rigidly secured to the undersurface plished with ease.

U-shaped brace 43 is rigidly secured to the leg 13 intermediate the ends thereof by any suitable fastening such as screws, bolts or welding. Preferably, however, screws are used so that the brace 43 may be detached therefrom when desired. The brace 43 is readily released from the plate 47 by squeezing together the two legs 45 thereof and moving their ends out of alignment with the sockets 46. After disengagement, the leg 13 may be universally swivelled relative to the table top. Reengagement is accomplished only when the leg 13 has been returned to table supporting position.

Assembly of the legs with the table top may be accom- The clevis portion of the bracket, including the arms 34 and 36-, is inserted through the circular opening 24 in the base 19 so that the edges 32 and 33 of portions 29 and 3-1 engage the shoulder 28, the clevis projecting from the opposite side of the base 19. This assembly is then positioned on the undersurface 20 of the table near a corner thereof and, secured thereto by the screws 23. The leg 13 is positioned in properly aligned position with the holes 37 and 38 between the arms 34 and 36 of the clevis structure. The bolt 22 is then inserted through the leg and the nut 42 threaded engaged with the sockets 46 in plate 47.

For shipment or storage purposes, disassembly of the logs from the table is unnecessary. The braces 43 are simply released from their plates 47 and the legs are then swivelled to a flat position against the undersurface of the table top such as are indicated by the dotted outlines 48 in Fig. 2. It should be noted that universal swiveling permits the legs to be moved to the best position and thus avoid interference with structure, such as slide rails 16 and 18, the legs lie flat and do not overlie each other or the slide rails. In this way a relatively flat, compact, but assembled table is provided which may be more readily crated or otherwise packed for shipment or storage, and which may be readily unpacked by a furniture dealer and set up without requiring the use of any tools.

Figs. 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the drawings illustrate modified forms of the releasable braces for locking the legs in table supporting position. Fig. 6 shows one of the forms as it appears when bracing and locking one of the legs 13 for supporting the table. The leg and the bracket means shown in Fig. 6 are the same as that heretofore described. The brace in this instance comprises a generally U-shaped brace rod 51 and a plate element 52 engageable by the rod.

In the present form the brace rod 51 is swingabtly mounted on the leg 13 to permit the rod 51 to be laid comparatively flat relative to the leg 13 when not engaged with the plate element 52, and to be angularly disposed relative to the leg 13 when engaged with the plate element 52. To this end the brace rod is circular in cross-section and the closed end of its U is secured to the side of the leg 13 at a point below the bracket means 'by a simple fixed bearing clip 53 fastened by screws 54. The clip 53 allows the brace rod to rotate or swing relative to the leg 13. As seen in Fig. 6, the closed end of the U is secured to the side of the leg opposite that facing the plate element 52. Thus, the legs 56 of the rod 51 straddle the leg 13 when engaged with the plate element 52. The sharp bends in the brace rod 51 forming the U-shape prevent it from slipping out of the clip 53.

The plate element 52 is provided with socket means for engaging ends of the legs 56 of the brace rod. The plate element in this instance is a channel member fastened to the undersurface 20 of the table top by screws 57 so that thejedges of its flanges 58- are in;

contact with the undersurface 20. This arrangement provides clearance between the Web 59 of the channel and the table top. The web 59 is provided with socket means, a pair of spaced keyhole-shaped openings 61. Each opening 61 comprises a circular portion 62, slightly larger in diameter than the diameter of the brace rod 51, and a slot portion 63 connecting into the circular portion 62. The sIot portion 63 is substantially narrower than the diameter of the rod 51, to provide the keyhole shape. The slot portions extend in opposite directions relative to their associated circular portions 62.

The arms 56 are bowed somewhat so that their ends are about perpendicular to the undersurface 20 when moved to bracing position. Also, the ends of the arms 56 are formed for engagement with the plate element 52 in the openings 61. Inwardly from their ends the arms 56 are slotted, as shown at 64 in Fig. 8, to receive the web 59. Moreover, the arms are resilient and are normally spread wider than the distance between the circular portions 62. It must be apparent that the legs 56 are engaged with the plate element 52 by squeezing the legs 56 together and inserting their ends in the circular portions 62 of the openings 61 until the slots 64 are aligned with the web 59. The legs 56 are then released so that they move laterally into the slot portions 63 by their resiliency. Unintentional withdrawal is prevented by the web 59 in the slots 64 and by the resiliency of the legs 56.

Fig. 9 shows still another mode of releasably securing the ends of the legs 56 of the brace rod 51 to the table top. In this instance a pair of bolts 66 are mounted in the table top with their threaded portions projecting downwardly from the undersurface 20 thereof. The bolts 66 are spaced apart a distance less than the normal spread of the legs 56 and each of the bolts 66 is provided with a wing nut 67.

In this case the ends of the legs 56 are formed to hook over the bolts and be held in position by the wing nuts 67. The ends of the legs 56 are flattened and bent at about 90 to the longitudinal axis of the legs 56 to' provide feet portions 68, and the feet portions 68 are in turn slotted, as at 69. The slots 69 extend inwardly from the opposite outer edges of feet portions 68 so they will straddle their associated bolts 66. The legs 56 are engaged with the bolts by squeezing the legs 56 together and aligning the slots 69 with the bolts 66. When the legs 56 are released they move laterally outwardly into engagement with the bolts 66. Thereafter, the wing nuts 67 are tightened on the bolts 66, and the associated feet portions 68 are forcibly but releasably held between the nuts 67 and the undersurface of the table top. To release the brace rod, the nuts 67 are merely loosened and the legs 56 are squeezed together to disengage the bolts 66.

It is thus seen that this invention provides table structure having legs that are universally swivelable relative to the table top. The novel leg supporting bracket structure is not only strong and rigid but is simple and economical to manufacture, easy to assemble and is adapted for use on many types of table structures.

Although the invention has been described in connection with specific structural embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that various modifications and alternative structures may be resorted to without departure from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The combination, comprising a table top, bracket structure including a base member secured to said table top and a bracket swivelably carried by said base member, a table leg having its upper end pivotally fastened to said bracket to be in universally swiveled relation to said table top, and releasable means for locking and bracing said leg in a predetermined table supporting position relative to said top, said releasable means comprising an elongated U-shaped brace secured at the closed end of the U to said table leg and having a pair of laterally deflectable resilient legs and fastening means mounted on said table top in spaced relation to said bracket, the ends of said deflectable legs being engageable with and releasable from said fastening means by lateral deflection of said legs in opposite directions.

2. The combination according to claim 1, in which said fastening means is a plate element provided with a pair of spaced sockets and is rigidly secured to the table top, and said leg ends are formed for engagement in said sockets.

3. The combination according to claim 1, in which said fastening means is a pair of spaced bolts which project from the under surface of the table top, and said leg ends have slotted feet in engagement with said bolts.

4. The combination according to claim 3, in which said slots open laterally to opposite sides of said feet, whereby engagement and disengagement with said bolts is etfected by lateral deflection of the legs of said U-shaped member against the resiliency thereof.

5. Leg supporting bracket structure, comprising a base plate having a circular opening therein, said base plate being adapted to be secured to a piece of furniture, and a unitary sheet metal bracket adapted to swingably support a leg, said bracket having clevis structure including a pair of arms and having a pair of oppositely directed plate-like flange portions at the base of said clevis, said flange portions having arcuate edges, said arms being elongated portions formed between adjacent ends of said flange portions and bent to extend generally perpendicular to the plane of said flange portions, said bracket projecting through said opening with said plate-like flange portions in swiveled engagement with one surface of said base plate and said arms projecting from the opposite surface of said base plate.

6. Leg supporting bracket structure, comprising a base plate having a circular opening therein, said base plate being adapted to be secured to a piece of furniture, and a bracket adapted to swingably support a leg, said bracket having clevis structure and a plate-like flange portion at the base of said clevis structure, said bracket projecting through said opening with said plate-like flange portion in swiveled engagement with one surface of said base plate and said clevis structure projecting from the opposite surface of said base plate, said clevis structure including a pair of flat upstanding aligned arms spaced from each other in generally parallel planes said arms being laterally deflectable and each of said arms having a hole, said holes being mutually concentric, and a bolt projected through said holes for pivotally carrying said leg between said arms, said bolt having a head outside one of said arms and a nut threaded thereon outside the other of said arms, said nut and said head inwardly deflecting said arms upon tightening of said nut.

7. The combination according to claim 1 in which said brace is swingably connected to said table leg.

8. The combination according to claim 2 in which said plate element has a pair of spaced keyhole-shaped openings defining said sockets and said leg ends are slotted to engage said element when disposed respectively in said sockets.

9. The combination according to claim 2 in which the distance between said sockets is less than the normal distance between said leg ends.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,429,969 Palmer Sept. 26, 1922 1,529,022 Fraser Mar. 10, 1925 2,333,784 Harris Nov. 9, 1943 2,708,145 Anderson et al. May 10, 1955 2,837,392 Straits June 3, 1958 

